the Mountain Bikers

Slowly, reluctantly they wake.They try to be communicative,And polite,They, the teenagers and their father are on holidayOn holiday to go mountain bikingTo eat, sleep and wake up moaningReliving the aches and the spills of yesterday.It’s called ‘Having Fun”In this group father and sons become the ‘boys’.Four energetic, fit, forever hungry guys. I, Poppa have beenContinue reading “the Mountain Bikers”

More and more they take over.And these days I’m happy to be looked after.Growing old gracefully.“Go gently into that good night”

Quicker witted, when my grandson drives I relaxHe has his own way of outwitting lane burglarsOr just standing in line, being calmIn bovine-like traffic.He often goes the ‘wrong way’ but,Zing! We’er there already “Relax! They’ll come and pick us up.”Art in the Park.And a late model, large, absolutely comfortable BMW glides to a halt.“Come onContinue reading “More and more they take over.And these days I’m happy to be looked after.Growing old gracefully.“Go gently into that good night””

Pictures at an Exhibition

Agreed, leave at 9.30amUp, dressed, cats fed, breakfast.We leave at 9.30am A drive from Thames to AucklandMajor roads predictable, stress free.GPS reduces the worry of ‘Where do I turn off?’Destination is some obscure street in a half remembered Auckland.Off ramp identified, negotiated, gleeful shout of relief. “In 400 metres turn left into …”400 metres isContinue reading “Pictures at an Exhibition”

Three Plates and a Pizza

Three Plates and a Pizza Three grandpas on bikes, and a warm sunny dayChatter and chuckles, like three kids at playRob wobbles, Bill weaves, we cycle all threeA good steady speed, we had batteries you see Our very first ride, mild consternationRob’s back tyre was flat, it needed inflationThames Jolly Bikes, fixed it up fastAndContinue reading “Three Plates and a Pizza”

And Over the Bridge

Concentration. Wire matting can deflect,Catch my front wheel.Now I’m over the bridge.Solitude, space and the soft crunch Of tyres on gravel. Nearby a slow and steady throbbing.Now I see it, a tractor,Towing some ungainly device,But useful I’m sureOnly to be seen in a farm paddock A dog barks.Birdcalls – birdsounds come in flocks too. SlowContinue reading “And Over the Bridge”

Wonder

Albert is the guyCock ‘o the RoostMachoAnd uncontested in his domain The girlsWell, chooksCommon garden chooksDo chook thingsIn their rural lifestyle block way.Laying eggsLaying eggs in hard to find placesHanging around the door making chook noises Coupla times a day chook noises bring foodSometimes a door is left openThey winkle their insideChockle their way pastContinue reading “Wonder”